The idea of living in shared accommodation can be a little daunting. As a very shy person, the prospect of living with eleven other people in first year was certainly scary. However, it doesn’t take long to get settled in. You’ll soon realise you had nothing to worry about! Here are some top tips to help you make the most of your shared accommodation experience.
Communication is key
Many conflicts that happen when living in shared accommodation come as a result of miscommunications. It’s unrealistic to say that everyone will get along, in fact it’s more likely that there will be people you’re less fond of. However, it’s important to communicate any issues you have clearly, and to embrace each other’s differences.
Creating a group chat can easily overcome communication barriers. It allows you to quickly let your flatmates know if you’re having guests over, if you’ve run out of something, or if the tomato pasta that’s been out on the side a little too long needs clearing up. It’s also a great point to share memes and embarrassing photos!
Be considerate of others
Being considerate of the other people sharing the space is crucial. Make sure to clean up after yourself and be considerate of others when it comes to noise. You may have great music taste, but trust me, no one wants to hear it blasting through the walls at 3am. Again, communication here is key. When it comes to cleaning, having some sort of rota can help to share the workload. Respecting privacy is also really important in shared accommodation. Likewise, don’t be afraid to take time for yourself and ask others to respect that.
Label your things
Picture this: it’s move-in day and you and your eleven other flatmates rock up with the exact same kitchenware set. It can be a nightmare trying to decipher whose plate is whose. So, make sure you label your things, and keep track of where you’ve put your stuff. Alternatively, buy kitchenware that is distinctive, and very unlikely to get mixed up with anyone else. That way, you’ll walk away with as many plates and bowls as you started the year with. If you didn’t break any.
Another great tip is to bring your own washing up bowl. That way you can keep all your dishes together when they need washing. They won’t get in the way of anyone else, and you won’t get your stuff mixed up with others. Similarly, if you’re living in a shared bathroom, it’s a really good idea to keep all your toiletries in one basket so you don’t lose anything.
Organise fun activities
The people you live with in first year will be the first people you get to know, and potentially some of your closest friends. So, it’s a good idea to organise some fun activities to keep spirits up throughout the year. It could be getting together to watch Bake Off, decorating the flat for Halloween, or even just going out for drinks.
Hopefully, you will be able to make some great memories with your flatmates!
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